Point Pleasant Beach, NJ Joseph Chessere, an investigator with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs explains how the process works with boardwalk games at Jenkinson's on the Pt. Pleasant Beach boardwalk. 070114 Tom Spader/Asbury Park Press (Photo: /Staff Photographer)

Point Pleasant Beach, NJ Joseph Chessere, an investigator with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs explains how the process works with boardwalk games at Jenkinson's on the Pt. Pleasant Beach boardwalk. 070114 Tom Spader/Asbury Park Press (Photo: /Staff Photographer)

Point Pleasant Beach, NJ Joseph Chessere, an investigator with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, get nothing-but-net while he explains how the process works with boardwalk games at Jenkinson's on the Pt. Pleasant Beach boardwalk. 070114 Tom Spader/Asbury Park Press (Photo: /Staff Photographer)

Point Pleasant Beach, NJ Joseph Chessere, an investigator with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs explains how the process works with boardwalk games at Jenkinson's on the Pt. Pleasant Beach boardwalk. 070114 Tom Spader/Asbury Park Press (Photo: /Staff Photographer)

Point Pleasant Beach, NJ Joseph Chessere, an investigator with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs explains how the process works with boardwalk games at Jenkinson's on the Pt. Pleasant Beach boardwalk. 070114 Tom Spader/Asbury Park Press (Photo: /Staff Photographer)

It was the kickoff of a statewide program called Safe Summer 2014. It was a return of the program last held in 2012 before superstorm Sandy hit the Jersey Shore.

The effort goes beyond the boardwalk and consumer protection. The state's acting attorney general, John J. Hoffman, also placed an emphasis on the safety of pedestrians, motorists, skaters and bicyclists.

"We all know at the beach, on the roadways around the beach, there's a lot of traffic and there's also a lot of distraction," Hoffman said. Drivers are searching for spaces. Children may run out into the street from between parked cars, he said.

"There's a lot of potential for damage and destruction, and there's potential for tragedy," Hoffman said.

Ensuring a fair chance

The boardwalk event highlighted the efforts of consumer affairs investigators from the state and Ocean County. "Their goal is simple: to ensure that players have a fair chance to win at any game they play," said Steve C. Lee, acting director of the state Division of Consumer Affairs.

They make sure games are not modified to make it harder to win. For instance, kiddie basketballs at a basketball hoop game were tested with a gauge to make sure they were not overinflated, which can make the ball bounce off the rim more easily.

"Bounce the ball a couple of times. If it bounces really high, you know it's overinflated," Joseph Chessere, an investigator with the state's consumer affairs division, told reporters.

A claw machine, in which a player grabs for a prize, was inspected to make sure it's operating properly.

"If you know what to look for, then you can avoid getting ripped off or treated unfairly, even at the beach," Lee said.

The investigators checked games for a clearly visible state license and to make sure prices and rules were displayed properly. What does it take to get the jumbo stuffed toy? Or the medium-sized one? "You should always know what you are playing for and what the price is," Chessere said.

Inspectors also tested toys and prizes available along the boardwalk for excessive levels of lead. Stores were checked to make sure items were marked with prices, and refund policies were property displayed.

Past inspections showed the majority of merchants and arcade operators were in compliance with state laws.

In 2012, one store had bright and shiny plastic bead necklaces that contained lead levels in excess of federal guidelines. Five stores failed to clearly post the prices of items for sale.

The results of Tuesday's inspections would not be available until today, a spokesman said.